Communications Officer Job at London NHS Trust

Reaching over 18,000 colleagues with communications that actually land isn't a small task — and that's essentially the brief for this Communications Officer role at Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust. Paying £38,488 to £46,852 a year (Band 5, inclusive of High Cost Area Supplement), the role sits within internal communications, working across hospitals and satellite sites where staff have very different working environments and levels of digital access.

That last point is worth noting on its own: the role explicitly asks you to consider varying needs and digital access among a genuinely diverse internal audience, rather than assuming one channel or format works for everyone — a more thoughtful brief than a generic "write the staff newsletter" role.

About Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

Royal Free London is one of the UK's largest and most innovative NHS trusts, caring for over 1.6 million patients across three main hospitals, treating more than 200,000 A&E patients, delivering over 8,000 babies, and carrying out more than 17 million tests annually.

What the Role Involves

• Supporting the delivery of a responsive, inclusive internal communications and engagement service
• Helping colleagues across hospitals and satellite sites access clear, timely, relevant information
• Coordinating and delivering internal communications campaigns, projects, publications, and day-to-day content
• Managing competing priorities and producing accurate, high-quality work to tight deadlines, with guidance from experienced colleagues
• Building positive relationships with colleagues and stakeholders, helping them clarify goals, audiences, and the right messages, channels, and timing
• Handling sensitive or complex information carefully, escalating issues where appropriate
• Using audience insight, channel analytics, and colleague feedback to plan activity and identify improvements
• Contributing ideas, spotting potential stories, and creating content that celebrates colleagues' achievements
• Supporting the external media team when needed — gathering information, supporting filming, coordinating responses, and ensuring accuracy before anything goes out

Who Can Apply

Essential:

• A relevant degree or equivalent experience
• Experience creating, editing, and publishing clear, engaging content across a range of audiences and channels
• Experience supporting communications projects, campaigns, or events within agreed timescales
• Experience building effective working relationships with stakeholders, adapting your approach to their needs
• Excellent written and verbal communication, able to translate complex information into accessible content
• Strong organisational skills, able to prioritise competing demands and meet deadlines
• Knowledge of communications best practice, including accessibility, inclusion, and equality considerations

Desirable:

• Evidence of continuous professional development in communications/PR
• Experience in a communications, PR, marketing, journalism, or stakeholder engagement setting
• Experience within the NHS or another large, complex organisation
• Experience supporting media activity, such as filming or interview requests
• Familiarity with digital communications tools (CMS, email marketing platforms, social media management software)
• Multimedia skills — photography, video editing, graphic design, or basic design software

Checks required: this post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975.

On visa sponsorship: applications from candidates requiring current Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcomed and will be considered alongside all other applications. Applicants requiring entry clearance will need to provide a criminal record certificate from any country they've resided in for 12 months or more (continuously or cumulatively) over the past 10 years — this also applies to adult dependants over 18.

Pay and Contract Details

• Pay: £38,488 to £46,852 per annum, inclusive of HCAS (Band 5, Agenda for Change)
• Contract type: Permanent, full-time, with flexible working available
• Location: Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, Pond Street, Hampstead, NW3 2QG
• Closing date: 4 October 2026

How to Apply

For questions about the role, candidates can contact Senior Internal Communications Manager Connell McHugh at connell.mchugh@nhs.net.

OFFICIAL LINK